Sonam Wangchuck inspired the “Rancho” character of the famous movie, “3 Idiots.” He was arrested under NSA on fabricated charges on 26 Sep 2025 by an illegitimate PM Modi (won a majority in the Lok Sabha elections through manipulation of votes, with the complicity of the EC). Expectedly Amir Khan, the actor who played the role in the movie did not come out in support of the real “Rancho”, because cowardice is a defining common trait of Indian celebrities, because all their mothers have told them, “Tujhe kya pari hai!” I would not hold much of a grudge against Amir because in ‘New India’, (that is post 2014), being a Muslim is a crime in itself. Faruqui, a stand-up comedian was jailed in anticipation that he will commit a crime in Indore for 37 days.
Sonam a True National Hero
Sonam is a national hero, having won the following accolades:
- 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Award
- For his community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, improving life opportunities for Ladakhi youth and creatively engaging society to harness science and culture for progress.
- 2017 GQ Men of the Year — Social Entrepreneur of the Year
- Recognition for his work in sustainable education and innovation.
- 2017 Global Award for Sustainable Architecture For his sustainable and climate-adaptive designs/initiatives in architecture.
- 2016 Rolex Award for Enterprise For the Ice Stupa project (artificial glaciers) to address water scarcity in the Ladakh region.
- 2018 Eminent Technologist of the Himalayan Region (IIT Mandi)
- Recognition by IIT Mandi for his technological contribution in the Himalayan region.
- 2023 Santokbaa Humanitarian Award Given by the Shree Ramkrishna Knowledge Foundation.
- Sonam designed solar tents for the Indian Army troops deployed in Ladakh to stay with comfort in the bitter cold.
Background
Statehood & Sixth Schedule. Sonam has been leading the demands for statehood for Ladakh and the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution since 2021. The legitimate demands were promised by Modi but have not been fulfilled till date. Not fulfilling promises is customary for Modi.
For example, Modi had demanded MSP as an act of Parliament when he was the CM and it was a poll promise before the 2014 elections. He has not fulfilled that promise till date, like so many others, including foolish promises like recapture of PoK.
Why Modi is Not Granting Autonomy?
• Modi is power hungry and wants to usurp the powers of others. He has used Governors as his agents to obstruct the Constitutional functioning of state governments and is pressurizing the Supreme Court to not prevent him from doing so. Granting autonomy is against his basic instinct.
• Grant of autonomy will hinder Modi’s possible designs to exploit the natural resources of Ladakh disregarding protection of the environment.
Fabricated Charges Against Sonam
1. Inciting Violent Unrest / Mob Violence
He is accused of making “provocative statements” which allegedly incited people during protests in Leh that turned violent.
2. Violence during Statehood / Sixth Schedule Protests
The protests he was leading or supporting were for statehood of Ladakh and for constitutional safeguards (including inclusion under the Sixth Schedule). Those protests escalated, with property damage (e.g. BJP office, vehicles), clashes with authorities, and four people killed. The government claims his rhetoric contributed to that escalation.
3. Alleged Violations under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and Financial Irregularities
His NGO, SECMOL (Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), has had its licence under FCRA cancelled, on grounds of alleged violations.
4. Other Alleged Financial Irregularities
There are media reports of alleged undisclosed bank accounts, undeclared financial transactions, and concerns about some fund transfers (including to private companies and abroad) which authorities are reportedly investigating.
Comments on the Charges
• There is no evidence in the public domain in support of the first two fabricated charges, just like there is no evidence in support of the fabricated charges against Umar Khalid, who has been in jail since Sep 2020.
• The charges of financial irregularities are laughable and the only comment that I have on them is that why were Modi-Shah waiting till 26 Sep 2025 to frame them? The reader would find the sums involved also interesting. Here are the details:
• Foreign remittances received without FCRA registration by HIAL (before proper license) ~ ₹1.5 crore
Donation receipts increasing (HIAL): donations jumped from about ₹6 crore in 2023-24 to over ₹15 crore in 2024-25.
Funds allegedly diverted from HIAL to Sheshyon Innovations Pvt Ltd (a company co-directed by Wangchuk) – excess reserve funds estimated at ₹6.5 crore
Foreign donations / remittances to Sonam Wangchuk’s personal / joint accounts Received ~ ₹1.68 crore (2018-2024)
Sent ~ ₹2.3 crore abroad (2021-2024) from personal account.
SECMOL: small amounts during different fiscal years flagged as violations:
– ₹3.35 lakh in FY 2021-22 deposited in FCRA account in violation of rules.
– ₹54,600 (local funds) in FCRA account mistakenly.
– ₹4.93 lakh from Sweden for youth-awareness programmes, under scrutiny.
• It would be interesting for the reader to note that there exists clear and concrete evidence in the public domain of bribery charges made against Adani of the tune of US $250 million (or Rs 2,100 crores) in the US court. India has not investigated Adani till date, nor administered the summons of the US court upon criminal Adani because he is Modi’s buddy in corruption and election manipulations.
Analysis
• In Modi’s fraud “Vishwa Guru Bharat” anyone can be jailed on fabricated charges if “Vishnu Avtar” Modi does not like him or he raises uncomfortable questions. For example, MP Sanjay Singh was jailed on fabricated charges because he had stated the truth in the Parliament, “Modi-Adani bhai, bhai, desh bech ke khai malai.” In order to deter the farmers protesting against the “3 kale kanoon” enacted to benefit Adani-Ambani, 1.48 lac fabricated cases were registered against the farmers.
• Over 90 percent of the judges have sold their souls and as a consequence two criminals actually responsible for inciting the Delhi violence, namely Anurag Thakur and Kapil Mishra are Ministers at the Center and Delhi UT respectively. We have a unique case of CM Yogi, (who considers himself the future PM), who had himself ordered withdrawal of around 20,000 cases against him and others as politically motivated (27 were probably specifically against Yogi!).
• In Indian mythology Ravana and Kans were despots who were unethical and malevolent towards the masses they ruled. They continued in power till their pot of sins was full to the brim. Modi-Shah are trying to fill their pot of sins to the brim very fast. Public resentment against them is rising fast and the time is not far when a mass movement against them will send them to jail or in hiding abroad. Sonam Wangchuck, Umar Khalid and a host of others will be the heroes who will play a significant role in terminating the Ravana-Kans type misrule of India.
• I have just finished writing this piece on the eve of” Dussehra,” which celebrates the victory of good over evil.
–COL M M NEHRU
